About Leiden

Leiden, nicknamed “Keycity” (in Dutch: “Sleutelstad”), has a population of over 120.000 and lies in the province South Holland. It is famous for having the oldest university of the Netherlands, called Leiden University. With its rich history, monumental buildings, beautiful gardens and canals it’s a lovely place for tourists. Being near to Amsterdam, Leiden has very good local and international transport links.

Discover the atmospheric university city of Leiden with its countless beautiful museums, canals, and “hofjes” or inner courtyards. If you visit Leiden in spring, you will also find yourself in the centre of the flower-bulb region!             

What makes Leiden attractive to visit?

Discover the restaurants, squares and terraces in Leiden. This university city is dotted with surprising, hip and affordable restaurants. There are terrace ships in the canals in the centre, making your meal and drinks even more special.

The “National Museum of Natural History” is a museum dedicated to the ancient natural world. The “Museum Boorhaave” is named after a Dutch biologist of the 1500’s. It has a fascinating display of medical instruments and equipment used in the study of science, including the “Theatrum Anatomicum”, a rebuilt theatre of study where anatomical demonstrations were held.

Leiden has some beautiful canals around the city, and what could be better than to spend the afternoon gently cruising along, admiring the historical buildings and streets that meander along the path of the canals. There is also a fun fair and a great deal of beer drinking. “Leidsche Bluesweek” is an annual blues festival. It is usually very lively, especially on the Wednesday when many of the local bars and pubs have live music.

There is some very good shopping possibilities in Leiden, most of the big brands are there along “Haarlemmerstraat” and “Breestraat”. Easily walkable from the Central Station, they have an excellent selection including many fashion and department stores. If you want something more eclectic or unusual then you should go to the “Hooglandsekerk” and the “Pieterskerk” which house many smaller and, for some, more interesting shops, dealing in antiques, brick a brack and there also some small boutiques as well.

If you are looking for some great food, then Leiden has plenty to offer. “The Delphi” serves very good Greek food for a very good price, expect it to be busy. “De Oud Harmonie” serves great student type food, very cheaply. If you are looking to go a bit upmarket the you could try the “Het Prentenkabinet”, where they serve very excellent but very pricey French cuisine.

Leiden has much to offer the visitor or tourist, also it’s closeness to Amsterdam makes it ideal for a day out from the capital.